Snowfall has billion-dollar effect on business, Olympians

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — It's no stretch to say that snow is the key to success for Jon Lillis.

The reigning world champion in aerials skiing is also a restaurant owner in Park City, and business at his hotpot eatery increases by more than 100 percent when nearby ski resorts are open.

So, when winters grow warmer and ski season starts later — Park City, and Vail in Colorado are among the Western resorts to push back openings by about a week in each of the last two years — not only does it affect Lillis' ability to train and, as is the case this year, prepare for the Winter Olympics, it also affects the bottom line at his business.

"We expect to do 70 percent of our annual revenue while the ski resorts are open," Lillis said.